[Blind-sysadmins] Re: CCNA Exam, packet tracer

Hi. So the Microsoft exams are now usable with a screen reader, I'm in the process of arranging an accessible exam with Hashicorp as well. As far as I know the Cisco exams are still not accessible. My job as a consultant does require me to take certifications and I am graded based on my certifications, though I also agree with you on the degree path for most companies. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Billy Irwin Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 1:24 PM To: Mailing list for blind system administrators Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Re: CCNA Exam, packet tracer Greetings All, For many years I had no degree or professional certifications. I worked for various local government agencies. I was most certainly hitting the glass ceiling without any certs or degrees. I decided to go to a local community college which had a degree in Network Systems Management. In that program, they had all the CCNA, CCDA, Microsoft, and various other useful courses which would allow you to demonstrate your competence in our field. I attempted a Microsoft Cert many years ago. At that time, Prometric was the preferred vendor for Microsoft to do their testing. Quite honestly, I can say it sucked. I gave up and continued to focus on my associates degree. Don't get me wrong, I think certs will certainly help, but I think the degree track is the way to go for someone in our situation only based of my personal experience. I have heard that in recent years Pearson is getting better. I was in a meeting last month and one of Pearson's accessibility consultants was there. This person was blind. So, maybe there is a chance that it will continue to improve. I was in a very tough spot when it comes to this, so I don't want you to get discouraged. I can't tell you how many times I almost gave up and was stuck in a depression over it. When you get right down to it, with a degree, it will get you in the door. If you are creative and personable during your interview, it will show through. You can easily demonstrate to the employer your abilities if they are willing and interested in learning about you. That is what happened in my current job. Once I got the job, I moved up quickly and I haven't even been here 2 years. I now manage our Security Program. I only still have a Associates in Network Systems Management. I am going to attempt the CISM soon. I found CBT Nuggets to be very useful as well. Sorry for the long email and I hope it helps. Best, Billy L. Irwin -----Original Message----- From: Chris T via Blind-sysadmins Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 4:50 AM To: Mailing list for blind system administrators Cc: Chris T Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Re: CCNA Exam, packet tracer I try to get qualified quite a few years ago now. Packet tracer still not accessible then. I used real hardware, bought cheap off eBay. Wireshark, or my preference tea shark and later the dynamips stuff. I don’t know if that still works for more modern routers. The biggest issues as a blind screen reader user were the exam conditions no screen reader, or accessible technology of any kind. you have a human reader who is not a networking expert. Reading the questions and submitting your answers.. you get double time. But it still takes longer than that to describe a complex diagram. you also can’t skip questions and go back to them later. I tried to improvise by putting pieces of my fresh chewing gum on the desk in the pattern of the routers being described. But this wasn’t much help. If they let you at least go back to questions I would’ve passed. But then you have to do it every two or so years. At least you did back then. Cheers Chris Turner Sent from mobile.

On 5 Jun 2023, at 22:05, Samuel Barnes wrote:

So I poked around Packet Tracer this morning with NVDA on Windows 10. It's not very good. I don't really see an easy way to place devices in the workspace or navigate among them when placed. If you can manage to open the device dialog it seems to have issues tabbing between the various menus. If you can manage to get to a command prompt, the prompt is as usable as any other, but it's pretty hard overall.

Just looking around the internet, Cisco has a standard "We're committed to accessibility..." statement, but not a whole lot else. One workaround would be using a physical lab setup where you can cable everything yourself and use whatever terminal you like, but that's expensive.

...

On Sat, Jun 3, 2023 at 6:59 PM Samuel Barnes wrote:

I have a CCNA. Currently working on my CCNP. Unfortunately I can't vouch for packet tracer's behavior with screen readers but it works fine with a magnifier. I can play around with it on Monday when I get back to work and let you know how it goes. How far are you into studying for the CCNA? Are you taking classes or doing it alone? Which OS and screen reader are you using?

Also just a heads up regarding the actual exam: If you're in the US you'll have to deal with Pearson VUE's terrible ADA accommodations process. The best thing you can do is research testing centers near you and call ahead to make sure they can meet your needs. Pearson is supposed to do that for you but after taking 9 tests with them I can tell you they don't. If you have any reasonably sized community college or university near you, they probably have a testing center, and if you're lucky, they'll be comfortable proctoring exams for other disabled students.

Good Luck.

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On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 1:42 PM David Mehler wrote:

Hello,

Do we have anyone who has taken and/or passed the CCNA exam? If so how did you handle packet tracer? Is it accessible?

Thanks. Dave. _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list -- blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org To unsubscribe send an email to blind-sysadmins-leave@lists.hodgsonfamily.org

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